Willoughby's Comic Heaven, From City Cornerstone to National Destination
BY JOEY SCHNIEDER
STAFF
Comic Heaven, located at 4847 Robinhood Dr in Willoughby opened its doors in 1994 and has been a staple in the community for over 30 years. Many locations and store fronts have changed in the ever-evolving Willoughby, but Comic Heaven has been a constant. When the previous owner decided it was time to retire, he had a buyer lined up until the deal fell through and local comic enthusiast and businessman Anthony Tekavec stepped in and saved the cherished legacy store in April of 2025. Anthony has been collecting comics his entire life and frequented the store himself for many years. He decided to not only save the store but bring it into the next generation with a remodel, a new mission, and he was going to do it with his family.
The newly refurbished store is, like in the store name, a comic book heaven. As you walk in you are greeted by every new comic released that week leaning against the large windows, then you see the middle of the store. Boxes with tens of thousands of comics, with more than a million more in back issues in storage. Every superhero you can think of lining each box which is in alphabetical, numerical, and issued order. Behind the counter are graded CGC issues of some of the rarest comics of all time. In the back, more rare comics, ungraded waiting for someone to cherish them. The workers talking to customers about comics, a big screen television with a comic book movie playing. The atmosphere was exactly what you would hope a comic store would be and more.
Owner Anthony Tekavec started, "We completely refurbished the store inside and out. We took a five-year plan and executed and completed it in six months. My father Jim helped out a lot along with my friends Jeff and Ray, my father-in-law Glen did all the lighting, my wife Alysia set up the electronics. It really was just a family project making this place the best it can be. My sons have been a massive help in doing everything from the reconstruction to products and running the store and getting to know the customers."
Anthony's sons are also Willoughby connected with youngest Luke attending Willoughby South High School, and oldest Anthony Jr attending John Carroll University. Luke a lacrosse and football student athlete said, "It's cool and fun, a little bit scary, and a lot of work, but extremely satisfying." Anthony Jr replied, "I've always been into comics and comic book movies, with my dad being such a fan, I've been bagging and boarding comic books for so many years it feels like second nature."
When asked what Luke and Anthony Jr loved about the store and are excited about for the future, Anthony Jr stated, "Growing the community and growing friendships. Seeing people from out of state who love Comic Heaven. Seeing people bringing comics in and not really knowing how valuable it might be. Recently we had someone bring in an X-Men #1 and had no idea. Also showing physical comics are making a comeback in a big way and seeing kids pick up and start reading their first comic. It's amazing seeing this type of comeback when it was on a downswing for a little while." Luke echoed many of the same sentiments as his brother but also added, "I love talking to people. There have been many customers that I have been able to get to know on a personal basis. My favorite example is there was a woman who knew close to nothing about comics and after talking to her and finding out what she liked and maybe was looking for we found some great comics we thought she would love and now she is the biggest comic book fan and a one of our best customers. It's more than just someone who buys something though, it's a friendship. I really just enjoy meeting new people and talking to them."
Owner Anthony shared his plans for the store going forward and how it has already started to become a place people are visiting from surrounding states. "We want this to not just be a store, but a place where like-minded people can hang out and have fun talking. We have had a lot of nights with people just hanging out and having fun until closing time. I'm here twelve hours a day at times and it never feels like work. This is what relaxes me. Our biggest goal is finding things for people that they are looking for. Comics they thought they may never find. When I bought the store, we had a few regulars that we would hold comics for on a weekly basis, and now it's in the hundreds. We have people that come from New York, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. We have a customer that drives from Pennsylvania once a month and is always ecstatic to see us. He comes here because this is his favorite comic store. Building those kinds of relationships makes it all worth it. We even have people who call us from oversees looking for comics and if we have it or I can find it I will do everything I can to get it to them. Growing the business should always be a part of the plan, but the people that come here want to stay here because it's a community. It's an experience and we want people to look forward to their outing to Comic Heaven because we look forward to seeing them."
The Tekavec's took a cornerstone of Willoughby's store fronts, saved it, and turning it into a comic book fan destination. A dream for Anthony to own his own comic shop, fanned by the support and help of his family is all it took to keep the imaginations of comic fans alive in Willoughby and beyond.
POSTED 01/20/2026 14:26
Lake County Sentinel
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